Catalog

Technical programme

IAC-15 — 66th International Astronautical Congress

B4. 22nd IAA SYMPOSIUM ON SMALL SATELLITE MISSIONS

« Small Satellite Missions » refers to the class a of missions conducted using satellites weighing less than 1000 kg. For clarity, we further classify small satellites as microsats if they weigh less than 100 kg; nanosats or cubesats if they weigh less than 10 kg; and picosats if they weigh less than 1 kg. This Symposium, organised by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), addresses Small Satellite missions and projects in Science, Exploration, and Technology for government, industry, and academic programmes. The Symposium scope encompasses space science (B4.2), earth observation (B4.4), and exploration (B4.8) missions, as well as the cross-cutting topics of small satellite programmes in developing countries (B4.1), cost-effective operations (B4.3), affordable and reliable space access (B4.5), emerging and promising technologies (B4.6A and B4.6B), and cross-platform compatibility applications and standards (B4.7). Abstracts highlighting ingenuity or innovation are preferred. Where possible, abstracts should have a wide interest in the community and include transferable knowledge or lessons learned. This is in keeping with our commitment to meeting the needs of the small satellite community. This Symposium will be accepting submissions for oral presentations only.

Coordinator

Rhoda Shaller Hornstein
— United States

Alex da Silva Curiel
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) — United Kingdom

B4.1. 16th Workshop on Small Satellite Programmes at the Service of Developing Countries

This workshop is organized by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). It shall review the needs that could be satisfied and results achieved by developing nations through using small satellites. National space plans and examples of application results and benefits shall be included. Small satellite programmes in the middle east region would be of particular interest to the session. The workshop shall also review the results of international cooperation, technology transfer, lessons learned and the extent to which these efforts have contributed to the space maturity of developing countries.

Co-Chair

Sias Mostert
Space Commercial Services Holdings (Pty) Ltd — South Africa

Pierre Molette
— France

Rapporteur

Danielle Wood
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — United States

Sergei Chernikov
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs — Austria

B4.2. Small Space Science Missions

This session will address the current and near-term approved small/micro/nano missions whose objective is to achieve returns in the fields of Earth science, solar, interplanetary, planetary, astronomy/astrophysics observations, and fundamental physics. Emphasis will be given to results achieved, new technologies and concepts, and novel management techniques.

Co-Chair

Stamatios Krimigis
The John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory — United States

Larry Paxton
The John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory — United States

B4.3. Small Satellite Operations

This session covers the planning for, and execution of, cost-effective approaches for Small Satellite Operations, with emphasis on new missions with new models of operation to reduce mission lifecycle costs and to minimize the cost impact of mission extensions. Papers addressing innovation, an entrepreneurial approach to new business opportunities, novel finance and business models, management techniques, and international cooperation in support of Small Satellite Operations are particularly encouraged. Papers that discuss the application of novel technology to mission operations, such as automation and autonomy, constraint resolution, and timeline planning, as well as reports on missions recently accomplished and lessons learned, are also welcome. For papers not addressing small satellites, please refer to Symposium B6.

Co-Chair

Peter M. Allan
STFC — United Kingdom

Karen McBride
University of California, Los Angeles — United States

Rapporteur

Andreas Hornig
AerospaceResearch.net — Germany

Helen Walker
STFC — United Kingdom

B4.4. Small Earth Observation Missions

We call for papers that will present information to decision makers, scientists, engineers, and managers about cost-effective small satellite missions, instruments, technologies, and designs of both current and planned Earth- and near-Earth missions. This session addresses the technologies, applications and missions achieved through the use of small, cost-effective satellites to observe the Earth and near-Earth space. Innovative cost-effective solutions to the needs of the science and applications communities are sought. Satellite technologies suited for use on small satellites including those in the single to multiple cubesat range are particularly encouraged. Satellite or technology development efforts that make use of innovative launch opportunities, such as the developing space tourism market and commercial launch capability, hold significant promise for low-cost access to space make Earth observation missions attainable to non-governmental organizations as well as traditional users: papers addressing these evolving opportunities would be welcomed.

Co-Chair

Larry Paxton
The John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory — United States

Amnon Ginati
European Space Agency (ESA) — The Netherlands

Rapporteur: Carsten Tobehn
European Space Agency (ESA) — The Netherlands

B4.5. Access to Space for Small Satellite Missions

A key challenge facing the viability and growth of the small satellite community is affordable and reliable space access. Topics of interest for this session include utilization of dedicated launches, ride-share systems, auxiliary payload systems, separation and dispenser systems, and small spacecraft sub-system development that will enable efficient small satellite access to space and orbit change (e.g., propulsion systems). Includes lessons learned from users on technical and programmatic approaches. For a discussion of small launchers concepts and operations, please refer to session D2.7.

Co-Chair

Alex da Silva Curiel
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) — United Kingdom

Jeff Emdee
The Aerospace Corporation — United States

B4.6A. Generic Technologies for Small/Micro Platforms

This session covers emerging and promising generic technologies for small and micro platforms. Real-life examples are particularly encouraged, both recently launched and shortly to be launched (next 3 years).

Co-Chair

Nicholas Waltham
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory — United Kingdom

Philip Davies
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) — United Kingdom

Rapporteur: Jian Guo
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) — The Netherlands

B4.6B. Generic Technologies for Nano/Pico Platforms

This session covers emerging and promising generic technologies for nano and pico platforms. Real-life examples are particularly encouraged, both recently launched and shortly to be launched (next 3 years).

Co-Chair

Nicholas Waltham
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory — United Kingdom

Philip Davies
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) — United Kingdom

Rapporteur: Joost Elstak
ICEYE — The Netherlands

B4.7. Space Systems and Architectures Featuring Cross-Platform Compatibility

Ideas are solicited for Modular, Reconfigurable, Adaptable systems (spacecraft, ground systems and networks) that feature cross-platform compatibility as a way to achieve mission lifecycle effectiveness. Applications are sought in Science, Exploration, Commerce, and other areas requiring rapid but stable system design and deployment. System-enabling plug-and-play interface definitions and recommendations for standardization (mechanical, electrical, software and fluids) are particularly desirable.

Co-Chair

Peter Holsters
QinetiQ Space nv — Belgium

Norbert Lemke
OHB System AG — Germany

Rapporteur: Merlin Barschke
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) — Germany

B4.8. Small Spacecraft for Deep-Space Exploration

This session focuses on innovative small spacecraft designs, systems, missions and technologies for the exploration of space beyond Earth orbit. Target destinations for these miniaturized space probes include the Earth's Moon, Mars, small bodies and other deep-space destinations, as well as near Earth vicinity for necessary development and technology demonstration missions. Small exploration probes covered by this session may come in many different forms, including special-purpose miniature spacecraft, standard format small platforms such as cubesats, or other microsats, nanosats, picosats, etc. Topics include new and emerging technologies in miniaturized subsystems including propulsion, avionics, guidance navigation & control, power supply, communication, thermal management, and sensors and instruments. Main aspect on this session is on new and emerging systems and mission applications for deep-space exploration using small spacecraft.

Co-Chair

Leon Alkalai
Mandala Space Ventures — United States

Rene Laufer
Luleå University of Technology — Sweden

Rapporteur: Amanda Stiles
Rocket Lab — United States